By Dan Ross
Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.
Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.
With the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) having gone into effect on July 1, the TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant HISA-related rulings from the same week.
California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 01/07/2023
Licensee: Jeff Mullins, trainer
Penalty: Thirty-day suspension (15 days stayed), $1,500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Owner/Trainer Jeff Mullins, who started the horse “INCH”, first place finisher, in the sixth race at Del Mar Race Track on August 25, 2022, having entered into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release with the California Horse Racing Board, is fined $1,500.00 and suspended for thirty days (January 9, 2023, through February 7, 2023) pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule #1887(a) (Trainer or Owner to Insure Condition of Horse), for violation of California Horse Racing Board rules #1843(a)(b)(d) (Medication, Drugs and Other Substances), #1843.1(a) (Prohibited Drug Substances – Clenbuterol) and assessed two (2) points in accordance with California Horse Racing Board 1843.4 (Multiple Medication Violations [MMV] Class 3). In accordance with the agreement, fifteen suspension (January 24, 2023, through February 7, 2023) are stayed, Jeff Mullins is placed on probation for one year from the date of this ruling and may not have any violation of CHRB Rules and Regulations, #1843, #1843.1, and #1887 regarding Class I, II or III drug substances. The term of suspension shall be from January 9, 2023, through January 23, 2023. If Jeff Mullins violates a condition of the probation, fifteen days of stayed suspension shall be imposed following a notice and hearing.
More on the story can be read here.
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 01/08/2023
Licensee: Joe Bravo, jockey
Penalty: $250 fine, one-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Having violated the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2280 (Use of Riding Crop) and pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – Class 3), Jockey Joe Bravo, who rode Luvluv in the tenth race at Santa Anita Park on January 7, 2023, is suspended for (1) day (January 15, 2023), and fined $250.00 for one (1) strike over the limit. Furthermore, Jockey Joe Bravo is assigned three (3) violation points that will be expunged on July 8, 2023, six (6) months from the date of final adjudication pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and penalties) – third offense since August 11, 2022. Jockey Joe Bravo has accrued a total of nine (9) points.
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 01/08/2023
Licensee: Flavien Prat, jockey
Penalty: $250 fine, one-day suspension
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Having violated the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2280 (Use of Riding Crop) and pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – Class 3), Jockey Flavien Prat, who rode Giver Not a Taker in the seventh race at Santa Anita Park on January 7, 2023, is suspended for (1) day (January 15, 2023), and fined $250.00 for one (1) strike over the limit. Furthermore, Jockey Flavien Prat is assigned three (3) violation points that will be expunged on July 8, 2023, six (6) months from the date of final adjudication pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and penalties) – first offense.
New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 01/06/2023
Licensee: Kieron Magee, trainer
Penalty: Ten-day suspension, $1,000 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Having received a report from the NYS Gaming Commission Drug Testing Laboratory of the finding of Phenylbutazone in the post-race sample taken from horse “Dat Dares Gold” (#5) which raced at Aqueduct Race track in the 3rd race and finished 2nd on November 17th 2022. Trainer of record Mr. Kieron Magee having been notified of the post-race findings and having waived his right to an appeal, is hereby fined the sum of $1,000 dollars and suspended 10 Calandar days effective Friday January 13th, 2022, through Sunday January 22nd 2022, inclusive.
Furthermore, the Stewards order horse “Dat Dares Gold” disqualified from any part of the purse and the purse redistributed as follows:
- (#1) Adelaide Miss
- (#4) Prairie Fire
- (#2) Big Tony's Girl
- (#7) Mebs Web
- (#3) Big Al's Gal
Ordered that during your period of suspension, you shall not directly or indirectly participate in New York State Pari-mutuel horse racing. You are denied the privilages and use of the grounds of all racetracks, you are forbidden to participate in any share of purses or other payment. Every horse is denied the privileges of the grounds and shall not participate in pari-mutuel racing in New York State, that (a) is owned or trained by you, or by individuals who serves as your agent or employee during your suspension: or (b) for which you during your suspension are directly or indirectly with training, including any arrangements to care for, train, enter, race, invoice, collect fees or other payments, manage funds, employ or insure workers, provide advise or other information or assist with any aspect of the training of such horses.
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 01/08/2023
Licensee: Michael Jones, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Saddling violation
Explainer: Mr. Michael E. Jones, Jr is hereby fined the sum of $500 for failing to tend to business in a proper manner. According to NYRA spokesperson Pat McKenna, Jones was fined for failing to make the appropriate accommodations to have his horse saddled by approved personnel.
NEW HISA STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal, except for the voided claim rulings which were sent to the TDN directly. Some of these rulings are from prior weeks as they were not reported contemporaneously.
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.
Violations of Crop Rule
Aqueduct
Katie Davis – violation date January 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Heman Harkie – violation date January 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Turf Paradise
Israel Hernandez – violation date January 2; $250 fine and one-day suspension, strikes “in excess” of the six-strike limit
Tampa Bay Downs
Ronald Allen, Jr. – violation date January 4; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 8 strikes
Voided Claims
Aqueduct
Chateau – ruling date 12/30/2022
Gulfstream Park
Action Rose – ruling date 12/21/2022
Fulton Street – ruling date 12/21/2022
Gianni Lambo – ruling date 12/21/2022
Mai Ty One On – ruling date 12/21/2022
Penn National
Great Baroness – ruling date 12/30/2022
Longtail – ruling date 12/30/2022
Great Assumptions – ruling date 12/30/2022
Turfway Park
Double Advantage – ruling date 12/8/2022
Air Attack – ruling date 12/14/2022
Chimaev – ruling date 12/26/22
Storm Risk – ruling date 12/28/2022
Expect the Boss – ruling date 12/28/2022
Blanket of Roses – ruling date 12/29/2022
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